419 Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam (2006-01)

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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "western union" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "moneygram" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "money gram" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "mtcn" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "million united state dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
MoneyGram money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. Along with Western Union it is a preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +22968809554 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: Money Gram Yearly Promo <"WWW."@axel.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: Money Gram Yearly Promo <fundofficialoffice@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 16 Dec 2016 23:53:15 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Congratulation Dear you were being elected as the money gram yearly
award winner

MONEY GRAM HEAD OFFICE DEPARTMENT REPUBLIC OF BENIN.FOREIGN CONTRACTOR
PAYMENT OFFICE COTONOU BENIN REPUBLIC/ADDRESS 555 AGBOKOU,ANKPA ROAD
OPPOSITE TUNDE MOTORS COTONOU.
Web Site;.https://secure.moneygram.com/track/
CONTACT PHONE +229 6880-9554
MONEY GRAM HEAD OFFICE DEPARTMENT

Your first payment $13,642.37. USD has been sent at (MG): with Reference number 62272243 track it for confirmation { https://secure.moneygram.com/transactions/62272243/Shabangu

How are you today? This will be our last message to you Please be informed that during our investigations, we discovered that you were being elected as the money gram yearly award winner with the prize of 2.5million united state dollars. And Your first payment $13,642.37. USD has been sent to you already as we have been given the mandate to transfer your full compensation payment total sum of $2.5 Million USD, via money gram by this government. I was calling your telephone number to give you the information through phone but you did not pick up my calls through out that yesterday even and this morning.

Now,I decided to email you the REFERENCE NUMBER and sender name so that you will pick up the first payment $13,642.37. USD today to enable us send another $13,642.37. USD usd tomorrow as you know we will be sending you only $13,642.37. USD usd per day. It was agree that you will pay the sum of $120.00 before they will release the fist payment $13,642.37. USDto you with information below Here the money gram information to pick up the $13,642.37. USD immediately you sent the transfer charge of $120.00 right now (Money Gram or Western Union )and it will serve as re-confirmation of your file payment from the office in charge.

click here to view your transaction status . https://secure.moneygram.com/transactions/62272243/Shabangu
Your payment is available.

1) Senders Name:John Shabangu
2) MTCN Number: 62272243
3)Amount: $13,642.37. USD.

So use information go Money Gram right now sent the $150,00 and pick up your first payment $13,642.37. USD today and pick up another $13,642.37. USD tomorrow . Below is the information you will use to send the $120. via Money Gram or western union immediately you receive this message,

Name of Receiver:=== JOHN THOMAS
Country===== Benin Republic
City:====== Cotonou
Amount:====== US $120.00
Question:===== Best
Answer:=======Right

REFERENCE
Sender's name:.....
Sender's address..

Be advise that the $120.00 is a compulsory as they told me that is only money you will pay until you receive your payment completely, you have to re-confirm your full Name and home address and direct phone number to avoid any wrong deposit okay. I am waiting for your call once you send the $150.00 to enable you pick up this today $13,642.37. USD usd, Please email me your direct telephone number because I need to be calling you once we send any payment for the information's.

Thank,
Dr.Christian Corbett / CALL AT +229-6880-9554
MONEY GRAM HEAD DIRECTOR

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam